Improved feathering paddle-wheel



NPETERS. PNOYO-LITHOGRAPMER. WASHINGTON. D C.

i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN F. GATES, 0F BOSTON, 'MASSACHUSETTS IMPROVED FEATHERING PADDLE-WHEEL.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 50,702, dated October 31, 1865.

QF all whom fit may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN F. GATES, of Boston, iu the county of Suffolk and State of ..-Iassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Paddle-Wheels 3 and I do hereby declare that the following, taken in connection with the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification, is a description of my invention sufficient to enable those skilled in the art to practice it.

My invention relates to improvements in that class of featherin g paddle-wheelsin which the floats are mounted or secured to radial arms or shafts and are turned or feathered by moving f'rom a position at right angles with the vessels keel to one parallel therewith. In all previous devices for eifecting the feathering of paddle-wheel oats the feathering movementis accomplished by the same-motor which gives rotation to the wheel.

My invention consists in featherin g the floats or paddles by means of a motor which is separate in its action from the force which rotates the wheel, by which certain advantages are attained, as will hereinafter be made to appear.

On Sheet 1, of the drawings, may be seen, in sectional elevation, a wheel of but four floats, the section being taken in the plane of the line z z, Sheet 2, on which sheet may be seen a sectional elevation of the same wheel, the section being taken in the plane of the line y y, Sheet 1. On Sheet 2 may also beseen an end view of the steam-cylinders which operate to feather the floats, and which surround the wheel-shaft and rotate with it. On Sheets 3 and 4 may be seen similar views to those first named on Sheets 1 and 2, but showing a wheel having my invention embodied more in detail and as required for practical use.

Throughout the drawings similar letters refer to similar parts. l

The wheel represented is arranged as overhung, though my invention is equally applicable to wheels having outboard bearings. The frame-work of the wheel is made up as usual of hub and flanges, arms, rims, and braces, and in the wheel-frame are arranged in suitable bearings shafts a, in radial direction, extending from beyond the outer rim, b, toward the center of the wheel and so that said shafts can turn freely in their bearings. To the outer end of these shafts are fixed blades or iioats c, and to the inner ends are fixed the cranks or rocker arms d, these being` connected to sliding or reciprocating bars e by connecting rods or linksf. Said bars e slide in suitable holes or mortises made in the flanges of the wheel-hubs, one bar actuating as many connecting-rods f as each float or paddle is divided into pieces, two being shown on Sheet 2 as composing one oat or paddle, and three on Sheet 4.

To reciprocate the bars or slides e a series of small steam cylinders, h, corresponding in number' with the paddles to be worked are arranged around the wheel -shaft and secured thereto so as to revolve with it, the piston-rod g of each cylinder being connected with the slide-rod actuating the parts of one paddle by means of the cross-heads andj, and the slide 7c.

Each cylinder has its own valve-chest and valve-rod l, by means of which rod the valve is shifted so as to cause reciprocations of its piston, movements of the valve-rod being caused by its rotation around a stationary grooved cylindrical cam, m, into the groove of which a roll or stud on the valve-rod projects, the movements of the valve taking place when the inclines of the cam-groove act on the valverod, the engine-piston, and consequently the oats remaining fixed while the projection on the valve-rod is engaged in the rests of the p cam-groove.

Upon the shape and position of the camgroove will depend the times and manner of the reciprocations ofthe pistons in the small cylinders h, and consequently the times of rest and partial rotation of the paddle-shafts a. Even in the same vessel it may be desirable to vary the times of the featherin g movements of the paddles, and this may be effected by change in position of the vcam m. For example, if it is desirable to make progress under sail alone, then by turning the cam m aboutninety degrees on the main shaft the piston-rods g will be operated at such times as to cause the paddles, while in the water, to be and to remain parallel to the course of the vessel and thus prevent the retardation usual in sailing, and consequent upon the drag of paddle-wheel oats through the water.

As it may be desirable to cause the paddles to turn from their edgewise position when entering the water a little sooner when the vessel is deep in the water than when she is light, and to hold on upon the Water square to the keel longer when decp than light, two camgrooves may be made in the same cam, differing from each other enough to cause the times ofthe reciprocating ofthe pistons to effect such object, and by means of joints in the Valverods, and by sliding the cam on the main shaft one or the other ot the cam-grooves may be iliade operative on the valve to suit the circumstances of the immersion ot' the paddlewheels.

As the detail of the construction of the engnes which operate only to feather the paddles is not of the essence of my invention, I

need not particularly describe them herein, sufcient being shown in the drawings, Sheets 3 and 4, to enable a competent en gine-builder to understand the arrangement.

I claim- The construction ota paddle-wheel by which its floats are feathered by means of a motor independent in its action from themotor by which the Wheel is rotated.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day of September, A. D. 1865.

STEPHEN F. GATES.

Witnesses:

J. B. CROSBY, F. GoULD. 

